Remote control of an electronic device with a selectable element

ABSTRACT

A method for managing a remote electronic device using an electronic device. A database associates argument types with alternative argument values and includes a compatibility mesh between the alternative argument values for a given type and contextual data. The method includes: upon reception of a first user input, detecting at least one argument type in the first user input and contextual data; retrieving from the database the alternative argument values corresponding to the detected argument type; outputting a graphical instruction, the graphical instruction comprising a selectable element representing the detected argument type; upon detection of a second user input on the selectable element for selection of an alternative argument value, outputting retrieved alternative argument values being filtered using the compatibility mesh and the contextual data; and upon selection of one argument value, providing an instruction to the remote electronic device based on the selected argument value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Section 371 National Stage Application ofInternational Application No. PCT/IB 2016/001071, filed Jun. 27, 2016,the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, and published as WO2017/001932 on Jan. 5, 2017, in English.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention generally relates to the control of remoteelectronic devices, such as connected objects for example.

It finds applications in electronic devices such as laptops, touchpads,mobile phones, Smartphones, wearable devices or smart watches.

In what follows, we consider, for illustrative purpose exclusively,electronic devices as mobile phones and remote electronic devices asconnected objects.

Connected objects can be remotely controlled by mobile phones, forexample by means of an application installed in the mobile phonesproviding a user interface.

It is meant by “connected object” any object able to perform a givenfunction, according to optional parameters, and comprising a networkinterface to access an access point, thereby accessing a remote server(through a network such as the internet for example or a local Bluetoothnetwork) or to receive commands from a mobile phone (or any electronicdevice).

For example, a connected coffee machine can perform basic functions suchas “switch on” and “switch off”. However, “switch on” can encompassseveral functions such as “prepare a latte coffee”, “prepare anexpresso”, “prepare a cappuccino”. In addition, each device and functioncan also be associated with parameters. For example, the parameters canbe a volume of the coffee to be prepared. The parameters may thereforecomprise “2 centilitres”, “5 centilitres”, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Electronic devices such as mobile phones that are used to remotelycontrol connected objects now provide several ways to receive a userinput and to turn it into an instruction for a remote connected objet:touch display, keypad, microphone coupled with a speech-to-textapplication, etc.

The user therefore needs to indicate information that enables the mobilephone to generate an instruction for the remote connected object.

Such information can be communicated using complementary arguments ofdifferent types:

-   -   a device identifier to identify the connected objet to be        controlled or the group of connected objects to be controlled;    -   a function identifier to identify the function to be performed        by the identified connected object;    -   optionally, a parameter identifier identifying a parameter of        the identified function to be performed by the identified        connected objet.

To indicate this information, arguments can be included in a user inputsuch as a sentence “could you switch-on the bedroom light in blue”. Thissentence comprises three arguments, of different types: a deviceidentifier having the value “bedroom light”, a function identifierhaving the value “switch-on” and a parameter identifier having the value“blue”.

However, electronic devices have input interfaces such as small touchscreens, which are subject to errors. This is even more problematic incase of a user input including a microphone and a speech-to-textapplication. Correction of a user input generally requires selectingthen cancelling an input argument to replace it with a new one.

The user may also want to modify an argument value obtained from a firstinput. To this end, the user has to reselect the argument, cancel it andinput a new argument value, which is cumbersome and time consuming forthe user.

The document US 2008/034081 discloses a method including remotelycontrolling wirelessly networked devices via a mobile unit.

SUMMARY

There is a need to facilitate modification of correction of a user inputon an electronic device used for remotely controlling other electronicdevices such as connected objects.

To address this need, a first aspect of the invention concerns a methodfor managing a remote electronic device using a user interface on anelectronic device, the electronic device being operatively connected toa database associating argument types with alternative argument values,the database further comprising a compatibility mesh between thealternative argument values for a given type and contextual data. Themethod comprises:

upon reception of a first user input through the user interface on theelectronic device, detecting at least one argument type in said firstuser input and contextual data;

retrieving from the database the alternative argument valuescorresponding to the detected argument type;

outputting a graphical instruction representing the first user input,said graphical instruction comprising a selectable element representingthe detected argument type;

upon detection of a second user input on the selectable element forselection of an alternative argument value, outputting retrievedalternative argument values being filtered using the compatibility meshand the contextual data;

upon selection of one argument value among the filtered alternativearguments values, providing an instruction to the remote electronicdevice based on the selected argument value.

It is meant by “compatibility mesh”, any data structure that linkselements that are compatible together. Based on a given element, it ispossible to retrieve all the other elements that are linked to thisgiven element in the compatibility mesh.

The remote electronic device can refer to a connected object oralternatively to a group of connected objects.

The present invention enables to facilitate the correction ormodification of a user instruction to an electronic device such as aconnected object. Having a selectable element showing alternativeargument values that are filtered renders a correction or modificationof an argument value easier and quicker to the user.

According to some embodiments, the contextual data may compriseinformation acquired by at least one sensor, information input by theuser or information retrieved from an external entity.

Therefore, the filtering performed according to the method enables toprovide only relevant alternative argument values to the user.

In complement, the contextual data can comprise at least one among:

location data of the user;

weather forecast data;

temperature data; or

other information acquired by a sensor, retrieved from an externalentity, communicated by the user or retrieved from a user profile.

These contextual data enable to improve the accuracy of the filteringperformed on the alternative argument values.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a first argument typecan be a device identifier, the database can store access rights ofusers for the alternative argument values of the first argument type.When the first argument type is detected in the first user input, themethod can further comprise identifying the user. The graphicalinstruction can comprise a selectable element representing the detectedfirst argument type and the retrieved alternative argument values can befiltered using the compatibility mesh, the contextual data and theaccess rights of the identified user.

This enables to improve the security of the method, as only theidentified/authenticated user is allowed to remotely control hiselectronic devices.

According to some embodiments of the invention, in the compatibilitymesh between the alternative argument values for a given type andcontextual data, the contextual data may comprise argument values ofanother argument type. Upon reception of the first user input, at leasta first argument type and a second argument type can be detected withcontextual data, and the method may further comprise obtaining a firstargument value for the first argument type. Alternative argument valuescorresponding to the second argument type can be retrieved. Thegraphical instruction can comprise the first argument value and aselectable element representing the detected second argument type. Theretrieved alternative argument values can be filtered using thecompatibility mesh for the second argument type and the contextual data.

The accuracy of the filtering performed on the alternative argumentvalues is therefore improved.

In complement, the first argument type can be a device identifieridentifying the remote electronic device, and the second argument typecan be a function identifier or a parameter identifier.

Therefore, only the functions that can be performed by the selecteddevice are allowed after the filtering step. A device identifier mayalso identify a group of electronic devices. For example, the deviceidentifier “all the lights” refer to the group of lights of the user.

Alternatively or in complement, a third argument type can be detected inthe user input, the second argument type can be a function identifierand the third argument type can be a parameter identifier.

This enables to enrich the user instruction to remotely control theelectronic devices.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the compatibility meshcan be configurable by the user. Alternatively, the compatibility meshcan be configurable by another person than the user (for example aparent in case the user is a child, or any person being entitled tomanage the compatibility mesh of the user). The compatibility mesh mayalso be configurable by a manufacturer of some of the connected objects,or by the service platform 14

A second aspect of the invention concerns a computer program productcomprising a computer readable medium having stored thereon computerprogram instructions loadable into a computing device and adaptedto—when loaded into and executed by said computing device—cause thecomputing device to perform a method according to the first aspect ofthe invention.

A third aspect of the invention concerns an electronic device formanaging a remote electronic device using a user interface on theelectronic device, the electronic device being operatively connected toa database associating argument types with alternative argument values,database further comprising a compatibility mesh between the alternativeargument values for a given type and contextual data, the electronicdevice comprising:

a user interface for receiving user inputs;

a processor configured to perform the following steps:

upon reception of a first user input on the user interface, detecting atleast one argument type in said first user input and contextual data;

retrieving from the database the alternative argument valuescorresponding to the detected argument type;

outputting a graphical instruction representing the first user input,said graphical instruction comprising a selectable element representingthe detected argument type;

upon detection of a second user input on the selectable element forselection of an alternative argument value, outputting retrievedalternative argument values being filtered using the compatibility meshand the contextual data;

upon selection of one argument value among the filtered alternativearguments values, providing an instruction to the first electronicdevice based on the selected argument value.

A fourth aspect of the invention concerns a system comprising theelectronic device according to the third aspect of the invention and adatabase associating argument types with alternative argument values,said database further comprising a compatibility mesh between thealternative argument values for a given type and contextual data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 represents a system according to some embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method according tosome embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3a to 3c illustrate a graphical user interface of a user terminalaccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate a graphical user interface of a user terminalaccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a user terminal according to some embodiments of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to some embodiments of theinvention.

The system comprises an electronic device 1 such as a user terminal. Asillustrated on FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 can be a mobile phonesuch as a Smartphone. The invention is not limited to this illustrativeexample, and also encompasses touch pads, laptops, desktop computers,etc.

The electronic device 1 can be used by the user to control remoteelectronic devices such as connected objects. In what follows, “remoteelectronic devices” are called “connected objects”, for illustrativepurposes.

The user of the electronic device 1 (also called “user terminal 1”hereafter) may have several connected objects located in differentplaces:

-   -   a connected coffee machine 10.1 located at home;    -   a bedroom light 10.2 located at home;    -   a kitchen light 10.3 located at home;    -   a car light 10.4 located in a car.

Connected objects 10.1-10.3 are configured to access to a first accesspoint 11.1 and connected objet 10.4 is configured to access to a secondaccess point 11.2. No restriction is attached to the access technologyused by the connected objects: wired or wireless means can be envisaged.In what follows, we consider the first and second access points as beingWi-fi access points.

Through the access points 11.1 and 11.2, the connected objects canaccess a network 12, such as the internet or a local Bluetooth network,and communicate with a remote service platform 14, for example to uploadevents or to receive instructions. Alternatively, the network 12 can bea local Bluetooth network and the remote service platform 14 is replacedby a local management entity. Several respective service platforms canalso be envisaged for the different connected objects 10.1 to 10.4, anda unique service platform 14 has been represented for illustrativepurposes exclusively.

The service platform 14 can also be accessed by the user terminal 1. Forexample, the user terminal can connect the access point 11.1 when theuser is at home. Alternatively, the user may use a 3G/4G mobile networkto access the service platform 14 with the user terminal 1.

An application dedicated to the service platform can be installed on theuser terminal 1. Through this application, the user may enter userinputs that are converted to instructions. The instructions can then beused to control the connected objects 10.1-10.4. To this end, theinstructions may be forwarded to the service platform 14, which thenforwards (and optionally modifies or enriches) the instructions thetargeted connected objects 10.1-10.4.

The user terminal 1 is also operatively connected to a database 13. OnFIG. 1, the database 13 can be accessed through the network 12.Alternatively, the database 13 can be stored in the user terminal 1 orcan be integrated in the service platform 14.

As detailed hereafter, the database 13 stores associations betweenargument types and alternative argument values.

As explained above, the argument types may comprise the argument typessuch as “device identifier”, “function identifier” and optionally“parameter identifier”. Other argument types may also be envisagedwithin the scope of the present invention.

For example, for the user, the database may store the identifiers of allthe connected objects 10.1-10.4 (which are therefore alternativeargument values) in association with the argument type “deviceidentifier”. No restriction is attached to the device identifier, whichcan be a numerical code or a character string, such as “bedroom light”,“kitchen light”, etc. All the possible functions (which are alsoalternative argument values) of the connected objects of the user arealso stored in association with the argument type “function identifier”.For example, the alternative functions “switch on”, “switch off”,“prepare a cappuccino”, “prepare an expresso”, “ring”, etc, can bestored in association with the argument type “function identifier”.

The database 13 also stores a compatibility mesh between the alternativeargument values for a given type, and contextual data.

Then, from an argument type, alternative argument values can beobtained. By further providing contextual data, the alternative argumentvalues can be filtered using the compatibility mesh. No restriction isattached to the format of the compatibility mesh. The compatibility meshwill be better understood when referring to FIGS. 3a to 3c and 4a to 4c.

Such a compatibility mesh can be configured by the user, for exampleusing the user terminal 1 or any device that is adapted to access thedatabase 13.

Alternatively, the compatibility mesh can be configurable by anotherperson than the user (for example a parent in case the user is a child,or any person being entitled to manage the compatibility mesh of theuser). The compatibility mesh may also be configurable by a manufacturerof some of the connected objects, or by the service platform 14.

The system illustrated on FIG. 1 is only provided for illustrativepurposes. For example, the network used to control the connected objects10.1-10.4 can be a local access network, such as a Bluetooth network forexample, and, in that case, there is no need to access to a remoteservice platform.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method according to someembodiments of the invention.

At step 201, a first user input can be received through a user interfaceof the user terminal 1. No restriction is attached to the first userinput, which can be a pronounced sentence acquired by a microphone andconverted to text, or a character string input using a touch pad or akeyboard.

Based on the user input, at least one argument type is detected at step202. In addition, contextual data can be retrieved from the user inputor from an external sensor.

The contextual data can comprise at least one element among

location of the user acquired by a sensor, acquired for example througha GPS of the user terminal, or acquired using the location of the accesspoint to which the user terminal 1 accesses the network 12;

weather forecast data acquired via an application installed on the userterminal 1 for example; or

temperature data acquired by a sensor of the user terminal 1, oracquired via the network 12; or

other contextual data acquired by a sensor, retrieved from an externalentity, input by the user or retrieved from a user profile.

Alternatively, and as explained hereafter, the database can comprise acompatibility mesh for each given argument type. In that case, thecontextual data may comprise argument values of argument types othersthan the given argument type.

At step 203, the user terminal 1 may access the database 13 to retrievethe alternative argument values that correspond (i.e. that areassociated with) the detected argument type. According to someembodiments, the user is identified/authenticated using anyidentification/authentication method (for example, the user terminal 1sends a user identifier to the database 13), so that the alternativeargument values are filtered using the user identifier. To this end, thedatabase 13 stores the argument types, the alternative argument values,and the compatibility mesh, in association with respective useridentifiers.

At step 204, the user terminal 1 may output, for example using adisplay, a graphical instruction representing the first user input, thegraphical instruction comprising a selectable element representing thedetected argument type.

At step 205, a second user input on the selectable element is detected.The second input is intended for selection of an alternative argumentvalue. To this end, the second user input can be a click or a doubleclick (or any other selection operation) using the user finger, using amouse, using a press button, a rotatable wheel, etc, of the userterminal 10.

In parallel (meaning between step 204 and step 207), the retrievedalternative argument values can be filtered using the compatibility meshstored in the database 13 and based on the contextual data. A list ofone or several filtered alternative argument values is thereby obtained.

At step 207, the filtered alternative argument values are output (on adisplay of the user terminal 1 for example), each of the filteredalternative argument value being selectable by the user.

At step 208, a selection by the user of one argument value among thefiltered alternative argument values is detected by the user terminal 1.

At step 209, an instruction is transmitted one of the connected objectsor to a group of connected objects based on the selected argument value.No restriction is attached to the way a connected object or a group ofconnected object is selected is selected. For example, the connectedobject can be identified in the first user input by means of a deviceidentifier (first argument type). A group of object can also be selectedby a device identifier value such as “all the lights”, which then referto lights 10.2-10.4. Alternatively, the instruction can be transmittedto all the connected objects of the user. Other methods of selecting oneor several connected objects of the user can be envisaged. For example,the selection may also depend on contextual data. If the user is locatedin the bedroom, then a user input such as “switch off the light” isinterpreted as being an instruction intended to the bedroom light 10.2.

In what follows, the example of a user terminal 1 comprising a touchscreen is considered for illustrative purposes only.

FIGS. 3a to 3c illustrate a user interface on the user terminal 1,according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated on FIG. 3a , the first user input can be displayed on thetouch screen as a graphical instruction 300, while the user is typing it(or while the user is speaking in a microphone). In the specific exampleshown on FIGS. 3a to 3 c, the first input “Could you switch on thebedroom light in blue?” is received by the user terminal 1.

After the acquisition of the first user input, argument types can bedetected at step 202 as shown on FIG. 3b . In this example, threeargument types having respective initial argument values are detected inthe first input:

-   -   a function identifier 301.1 having the initial argument value        “switch-on”;    -   a device identifier 301.2 having the initial argument value        “bedroom light”;    -   a parameter identifier 301.3 having the initial argument value        “blue”.

The user can validate the graphical instruction so that is ittransmitted to the service platform 14 that controls the bedroom light10.2 to be switch-on in blue. However, the graphical instruction 300 maycomprise argument values that do not correspond to the argument valuesintended by the user (for example, some argument values of theinstructions can result from an erroneous manipulation of the user).According to solutions of the prior art, the user has to reselect theerroneous argument values, to cancel them and then to input the rightargument values, which is time consuming and not satisfactory.

To avoid this, as shown on FIG. 3c , upon detection of the argument type301.2, alternative argument values can be retrieved by the user terminal1 from the database 13. To this end, the user terminal looks for, in thedatabase 13, all the alternative argument values that correspond to theargument type “device identifier”, for the identified user. Then, thealternative argument values are filtered based on contextual data. Inthe present example illustrated on FIGS. 3a to 3c , the contextual datamay be the location of the user. At step 202, it can be determined thatthe user is located at home: no restriction is attached to the way theuser is located. For example, it can be detected that the user terminalis connected using the access point 11.1, which is located at home.Alternatively, the GPS of the user terminal can be used. Stillalternatively, the user can indicate in the first user input that he isat home.

Based on this contextual data, the user terminal 1 can filter thealternative argument values from the compatibility mesh stored in thedatabase 13. For example, in the compatibly mesh, the connected objects10.1-10.3 can be compatible with the location “at home”, whereas theconnected objet 10.4 is only compatible with the location “in the car”.

Therefore, the filtered alternative argument values only comprise“bedroom light”, “kitchen light” and “coffee machine”.

Then, the initial argument value 301.2 is displayed in the form of aselectable element. Upon selection of the selectable element, a window302 is displayed, the window comprising the filtered alternativeargument values only comprise “bedroom light” 301.2, “kitchen light”303.1 and “coffee machine” 303.2.

Each of these filtered alternative argument values is then selectable bythe user to generate an instruction to remotely control a connectedobject 10.1-10.2 located at home.

FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate a user interface on the user terminal 1,according to a second embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated on FIG. 4a , the first user input can be displayed on thetouch screen as a graphical instruction 400, while the user is typing it(or while the user is speaking in a microphone). In the specific exampleshown on FIGS. 4a to 4c , the first input “Could you prepare an espressowith the coffee machine?” is received by the user terminal 1.

After the acquisition of the first user input, argument types can bedetected at step 202 as shown on FIG. 4b . In this example, two argumenttypes having respective initial argument values are detected in thefirst input:

-   -   a function identifier 401.1 having the initial argument value        “prepare an espresso”;    -   a device identifier 401.2 having the initial argument value        “coffee machine”.

The user can validate the graphical instruction so that is ittransmitted to the service platform 14 that controls the coffee machine10.1 to prepare an espresso. However, the graphical instruction 400 maycomprise argument values that do not correspond to the argument valuesintended by the user (for example, some argument values of theinstructions can result from an erroneous manipulation of the user).According to solutions of the prior art, the user has to reselect theerroneous argument values, to cancel them and then to input the rightargument values, which is time consuming.

To avoid this, as shown on FIG. 4c , upon detection of the argument type401.1, alternative argument values can be retrieved by the user terminal1 from the database 13. To this end, the user terminal looks for, in thedatabase 13, all the alternative argument values that correspond to theargument type “function identifier”, for the identified user. Then, thealternative argument values are filtered based on contextual data. Inthe present example illustrated on FIGS. 4a to 4c , the contextual datamay be the other argument type 401.2 that identifies the device to becontrolled (the coffee machine).

Based on this contextual data, the user terminal 1 can filter thealternative argument values from the compatibility mesh stored in thedatabase 13. For example, in the compatibly mesh, some functions such as“switch off”, “prepare an espresso”, “prepare a cappuccino”, etc, can becompatible with the other argument type “device identifier” having thevalue “coffee machine”, whereas other functions such as “ring” (whichcan be stored in the database 13 for the identified user because he alsohas a connected alarm, for example) is not compatible with the otherargument type “device identifier” having the value “coffee machine”.

Therefore, the filtered alternative argument values comprise “switchoff”, “prepare an espresso”, “prepare a cappuccino”, and other functionsthat can be eventually performed by a coffee machine, but do notcomprise other functions such as “ring” for example.

Then, the initial argument value 401.1 is displayed in the form of aselectable element. Upon selection of the selectable element, a window402 is displayed, the window comprising the filtered alternativeargument values comprise “switch off” 403.1, “prepare an espresso”401.1, “prepare a cappuccino” 401.2 and optionally other functions thatare not shown on FIG. 4 c.

Each of these filtered alternative argument values is then selectable bythe user to generate an instruction to control the coffee machine 10.1.

Providing a selectable element that proposes alternative argument valuesthat are filtered enables to simplify and accelerate modification orcorrection of an instruction input by the user. In addition, taking intoaccount contextual data enables to efficiently and relevantly performthe filtering of the alternative argument values.

FIG. 5 shows an electronic device 1 (or user terminal 1) according tosome embodiments of the invention.

The user terminal 1 comprises a random access memory 503 and a processor502 that can store instructions for performing the steps of a method asdescribed above when referring to FIG. 2.

The user terminal 1 may also comprise a database 504 for storing dataresulting from the method according to the invention. For example, thedatabase 205 may store the data that are retrieved from the database 13(associations between the argument types and the alternative argumentvalues, compatibility mesh) and can store user identifiers. According toan embodiment, the database 13 can be stored in the user terminal, asdatabase 504.

The user terminal 1 comprises a user interface 501 for receivingselections and user inputs by the user. The user interface 501 can forexample comprise a touch display, a virtual or physical keyboard, pressbuttons, a camera and/or a microphone coupled to a speech-to-textapplication. The user terminal 1 also comprises a network interface 505to communicate with the network 12 and in particular to transmit theuser entries to the selected connected objects. The network interfacecan be a wired interface (Ethernet) or wireless (Bluetooth, 2G, 3G, 4G,Wi-fi, etc).

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to oneor more examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changesmay be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of thedisclosure and/or the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for managing a remote electronicdevice using a user interface on an electronic device, the electronicdevice being operatively connected to a database associating argumenttypes with alternative argument values, said database further comprisinga compatibility mesh, said compatibility mesh being a data structurelinking alternative argument values for a given type and contextual datathat are compatible together, the method comprising: upon reception of afirst user input of an initial instruction through the user interface onthe electronic device, detecting at least one argument type in saidfirst user input and contextual data, each of said detected argumenttypes having an initial argument value in the initial instruction; forat least one of the detected argument types in the initial instruction,retrieving from the database the alternative argument values, whichinclude the initial argument value and at least one alternative to theinitial argument value and corresponding to the same detected argumenttype; filtering the alternative argument values for the at least onedetected argument type using the compatibility mesh and the contextualdata; outputting a graphical instruction representing the first userinput, said graphical instruction comprising for the at least one of thedetected argument types in the first user input a selectable elementrepresenting the detected argument type; upon detection of a second userinput on the selectable element for selection of an alternative argumentvalue, outputting in the graphical instruction the filtered alternativeargument values; receiving a selection of an argument value among thefiltered alternative arguments values to produce a final instruction;and providing the final instruction to the remote electronic devicebased on the selected argument value; wherein the at least one detectedargument type is detected among the following argument types: a deviceidentifier, a function identifier or a parameter identifier.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the contextual data comprisesinformation acquired by at least one sensor, information input by theuser or information retrieved from an external entity.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein the contextual data comprises at least oneamong: location data of the user; weather forecast data; temperaturedata; or other information acquired by a sensor, retrieved from anexternal entity or communicated by the user.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one detected argument type comprises afirst argument type, which is a device identifier, and the databasefurther stores access rights of users for the alternative argumentvalues of the first argument type, wherein, in response to the firstargument type being detected in the first user input, the method furthercomprises identifying the user, wherein the graphical instructioncomprises a selectable element representing the detected first argumenttype; and wherein the retrieved alternative argument values are filteredusing the compatibility mesh, the contextual data and the access rightsof the identified user.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, inthe compatibility mesh between the alternative argument values for agiven type and contextual data, the contextual data comprises argumentvalues of another argument type; wherein upon reception of the firstuser input, at least a first argument type and a second argument typeare detected with contextual data, and wherein the method furthercomprises obtaining a first argument value for the first argument type;wherein alternative argument values corresponding to the second argumenttype are retrieved; wherein the graphical instruction comprises thefirst argument value and a selectable element representing the detectedsecond argument type; and wherein the retrieved alternative argumentvalues are filtered using the compatibility mesh for the second argumenttype and the contextual data.
 6. The method according to claim 5,wherein the first argument type is a device identifier identifying theremote electronic device, and wherein the second argument type is afunction identifier or a parameter identifier.
 7. The method accordingto claim 5, wherein a third argument type is detected in the first userinput, and wherein the second argument type is a function identifier andthe third argument type is a parameter identifier.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the compatibility mesh is configurable bythe user.
 9. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumcomprising a computer program product stored thereon comprising computerprogram instructions loadable into a computing device of an electronicdevice and adapted to, when loaded into and executed by said computingdevice, cause the computing device to perform a method for managing aremote electronic device using a user interface on the electronicdevice, the electronic device being operatively connected to a databaseassociating argument types with alternative argument values, saiddatabase further comprising a compatibility mesh, said compatibilitymesh being a data structure linking alternative argument values for agiven type and contextual data that are compatible together, the methodcomprising: upon reception of a first user input of an initialinstruction through the user interface on the electronic device,detecting at least one argument type in said first user input andcontextual data, each of said detected argument types having an initialargument value in the initial instruction; for at least one of thedetected argument types in the initial instruction, retrieving from thedatabase the alternative argument values, which include the initialargument value and at least one alternative to the initial argumentvalue and corresponding to the same detected argument type; filteringthe alternative argument values for the at least one detected argumenttype using the compatibility mesh and the contextual data; outputting agraphical instruction representing the first user input, said graphicalinstruction comprising for the at least one of the detected argumenttypes in the first user input a selectable element representing thedetected argument type; upon detection of a second user input on theselectable element for selection of an alternative argument value,outputting in the graphical instruction the filtered alternativeargument values; receiving a selection of an argument value among thefiltered alternative arguments values to produce a final instruction;and providing the final instruction to the remote electronic devicebased on the selected argument value; wherein the at least one detectedargument type is detected among the following argument types: a deviceidentifier, a function identifier or a parameter identifier.
 10. Anelectronic device for managing a remote electronic device using a userinterface on the electronic device, the electronic device beingoperatively connectable to a database associating argument types withalternative argument values, said database further comprising acompatibility mesh, said compatibility mesh being a data structurelinking alternative argument values for a given type and contextual datathat are compatible together, the electronic device comprising: a userinterface for receiving user inputs; a processor configured to performthe following acts: upon reception of a first user input of an initialinstruction through the user interface on the electronic device,detecting at least one argument type in said first user input andcontextual data, each of said detected argument types having an initialargument value in the initial instruction; for at least one of thedetected argument types in the initial instruction, retrieving from thedatabase the alternative argument values, which include the initialargument value and at least one alternative to the initial argumentvalue and corresponding to the same detected argument type; filteringthe alternative argument values for the at least one detected argumenttype using the compatibility mesh and the contextual data; outputting agraphical instruction representing the first user input, said graphicalinstruction comprising for the at least one of the detected argumenttypes in the first user input a selectable element representing thedetected argument type; upon detection of a second user input on theselectable element for selection of an alternative argument value,outputting in the graphical instruction the filtered alternativeargument values; receiving a selection of an argument value among thefiltered alternative arguments values to produce a final instruction;and providing the final instruction to the remote electronic devicebased on the selected argument value; wherein the at least one detectedargument type is detected among the following argument types: a deviceidentifier, a function identifier or a parameter identifier.
 11. Asystem comprising the electronic device according to claim 10 and thedatabase associating argument types with alternative argument values,said database further comprising the compatibility mesh.